Shoetree and stretcher



Feb. 9, 1937. A. LOEFFLER SHOETREE AND STRETCHER Filed Feb. 11, 1936 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to apparatus used in connection with foot wear, with special reference to leather shoes.

An object of the invention is to provide a device insertable in ordinary shoes, when the shoes are not in use, whereby they are maintained in approved shape and condition.

A further feature is in the provision of means whereby uncomfortably close fitting portions of a shoe may be stretched to give ease to the wearer.

Another purpose is to produce in one apparatus a combination of the foregoing features, easily applied and operated, readily adjustable,

substantially indestructible and inexpensive to construct.

These important objects are attained by the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention, as applied to a conventional shoe, shown in broken lines.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a similar sectional view taken on 30 line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified form of stretcher plate.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, a pair of plates I0-H are connected at their longitudinal center line by hinge elements l2 formed at their adjacent edges.

These plates are shaped to produce a curved front or toe portion I4 and also downwardly curved sides, simulating an approximation of the 40 shape of a human foot or, more exactly, a last on which the shoe was formed.

The lower edges l0'--l I are straight and adapted to engage on the sole of the shoe, while the upper, curved portions contact the inner side 45 of the shoe upper, extending from the toe nearly or quite to the instep.

A pair of opposed lugs I5-l6 extend integrally inward from the edges l0-| I and connected to these lugs, by pivot screws lT-l8, are con- 50 vergent arms l9-20, having at their proximate ends discs 2 I-22 pivotally connected by a pin 23 which also engages the ends of a flat loop 24 extending rearwardly.

Engaged in the bight of the loop 24 is a wire 5 having spaced arms 25 terminating in opposed,

outturned prongs 26, these arms being resilient and operate to press the prongs outwardly.

A channel shaped guard lever 28 is provided at one end with a finger catch 29 and at the other, outer end is engaged permanently with a knob 30, constituting a heel brace and in the sides of the channel are a plurality of perforations 3| arranged in register, in spaced relation and suited to receive the prongs 26 selectively in any pair of the opposed perforations.

When the apparatus is used as a shoe tree only, the finger catch 29 is drawn upwardly, the elements IE!-H entered and also the brace knob 30 at the heel. Obviously, upon pressing the catch 29 downwardly, the forward part of the device will be forced into the shoe and retained under pressure from the brace knob, and it will also be evident that the device can be adjusted, by changing the position of the prongs, to shoes of difierent lengths, thereby providing an effective tree.

The elements l0-l| are preferably provided with a series of longitudinal slots arranged in parallel and adapted to receive the screw threaded stems 36 of button shaped stretcher elements 31 held in adjustment by nuts 38 on the stems and clamping the buttons at any point along the length of the slots.

Thus, as the joints of the toes are usually affected by tightness of the shoe, one stretcher for each toe is preferably supplied, and the shape of the contacting head may be round, oval or semi-flattened as desired.

In the modification shown in Figure 6, a single plate 40 is indicated, and may be attached to the tree arms 1.9-2!) in the manner before described.

Formed in this plate is an arcuate slot 44 and adjustable therein, is a stretcher button 42 6f the kind described.

Although the foregoing is descriptive of the best known embodiments of the invention, modifications may be made within the scope denoted by the appended claim.

What is claimed as new and sought to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

A shoe tree and stretcher comprising a pair of curved plates suited to engage in the forward part of a shoe, hinges connecting said plates along a median line at their juxtaposed edges, said plates having a plurality of spaced longitudinal slots in their upper portions, button headed stretchers movable in the mentioned slots, said stretchers having screw threaded stems, nuts to engage said stems to retain said stretchers in adjustment in the slots, a heel brace adjustably engaged in the heel of the shoe, a pair of levers pivoted in said plates to extend convergently rearward, said levers adapted to distend said plates, a channel shaped extension extending forwardly from said heel brace, the sides of said extension being plurally perforated, an arm having opposed prongs selectively engageable in the mentioned perforations, and a pivoted connection from said arm to said levers.

ALBERT LOEFFLER. 

